What is in this leaflet

It does not contain all of the available information. It does not take the place of
talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking
Rimycin against the benefits he/she expects it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with your medicine.

You may need to read it again.

What Rimycin is used for

Rimycin is an antibiotic that is used in combination with other medicines to treat
tuberculosis, also known as TB. TB is a bacterial infection, which mainly affects
the lungs, but it can also spread to other organs in the body.

Rimycin is also used to treat leprosy, a skin condition that has many forms.

Rimycin is also used to prevent certain diseases occurring where you may be in contact
with, or have had contact with, a person known to have the disease or is known to
be able to pass it on to others. Examples of such diseases are meningitis, a serious
infectious disease (an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal
cord), affecting children and young adults, and pneumonia, conjunctivitis and meningitis
caused by Haemophilus influenzae, a bacterium in the respiratory tract.

This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.

Before you take Rimycin

When you must not take it

Do not take Rimycin if:

You have an allergy to Rimycin (rifampicin) or any other rifampicin medication or
any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, itching, difficulty breathing
or swallowing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue and throat.

You have jaundice

(yellowing of the eyes and skin).

You are taking combination saquinavir/ritonavir medications.

You are breast-feeding or planning to breastfeed.

Rimycin passes into breast milk and there is a possibility your baby may be affected.

If the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

If the expiry date (exp) printed on the pack has passed.

If you use this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.

If you are not sure whether you should start using Rimycin, talk to your doctor.

Before you start to take it

Tell your doctor if:

You have any type of liver disease.

You have any allergies to any other medicines or any other substances, such as foods,
preservatives or dyes.

You have diabetes.

You are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.

Your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits of using Rimycin during pregnancy.

You are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.

Rimycin should not be used while breast-feeding.

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you are
given Rimycin.

Rimycin may reduce the effectiveness of a wide variety of medicines or they may affect
how well Rimycin works. These include certain medicines used for:

Decreasing the clotting of the blood

Controlling and preventing seizures

Heart disease and high blood pressure

Breast cancer treatment or prevention

Sedation

Bacterial infections

Fungal infections

Inflammatory conditions

Contraception

High blood cholesterol

Diabetes

TB and leprosy

Malaria

Rejection of transplanted organs

Thyroid deficiency states

Pain

Nocturnal cramps

Breathing difficulties

Anxiety or depression

Treatment of certain mental illnesses

Treatment of HIV (Human

Immunodeficiency Virus) infections.

Nausea and vomiting

Your doctor or pharmacist may have more information on medicines to be careful with
or to avoid while taking Rimycin.

How to take Rimycin

How much to take

Your doctor will decide what dose and for how long you will receive Rimycin.

How to take it

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.

Swallow Rimycin capsules whole with a glass of water.

Rimycin should be taken 30 minutes before or 2 hours after a meal.

If you forget to take it

Take the dose as soon as you remember, and then resume taking Rimycin as directed.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.

If you are unsure about taking the next dose, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have trouble remembering when to take your medication, ask your pharmacist
for some hints.

If you take too much (overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13
11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you
think that you or anyone else has taken too much Rimycin.

Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

You may need urgent medical attention.

If you take too much Rimycin you may have symptoms of nausea, vomiting, abdominal
pain, itchy skin, fatigue, dizziness, swelling and abnormal heart beating.

While you are taking Rimycin

Things you must do

Take Rimycin exactly as directed or as your doctor has prescribed. If you miss doses,
side effects may occur more often and may be more serious than usual.

You should see your doctor monthly for a check-up.

If you develop itching with swelling or skin rash or difficulty breathing, or if you
turn yellow while you are taking Rimycin do not take any more Rimycin and tell your
doctor immediately.

If you get severe diarrhoea tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse immediately. Do
this even if it occurs several weeks after you have stopped taking Rimycin.

Diarrhoea may mean that you have a serious condition affecting your bowel. You may
need urgent medical care. Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without first checking
with your doctor.

If you get a sore white mouth or tongue while taking or soon after stopping Rimycin,
tell your doctor. Also tell your doctor if you get vaginal itching or discharge.

This may mean you have a fungal infection called thrush. Sometimes the use of Rimycin
allows fungi to grow and the above symptoms to occur. Rimycin does not work against
fungi.

If you become pregnant while you are taking Rimycin tell your doctor.

If you are using oral contraceptives you should change to alternative methods of birth
control while you are taking Rimycin.

If you are about to start taking any new medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist
that you are taking Rimycin.

If you have to have any blood or urine tests tell your doctor you are being given
Rimycin.

Rimycin may affect the results of some blood and urine tests.

Tell all the doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking
Rimycin.

Things you must not do

Do not stop taking Rimycin because you feel better.

If you do not complete the full treatment prescribed by your doctor, some of the bacteria
causing your infection may not be killed. These bacteria may continue to grow and
multiply so that your infection may not clear completely or it may return.

Side effects

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you have any problems while being treated
with Rimycin, even if you do not think the problems are connected with the medicine
or are not listed in this leaflet.

Like other medicines, Rimycin can cause some side effects. If they occur, most are
likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

Yellow discolouration of skin or eyes

Heartburn, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, wind, cramps or diarrhoea

Drowsiness, fatigue, inability to concentrate or confusion

Poor coordination, muscle weakness, pain in the fingers or toes, or numbness

Oral thrush - white, furry, sore tongue and mouth

Vaginal thrush - sore and itchy vagina and/or discharge

Conjunctivitis or visual disturbances

Menstrual disturbances.

Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:

Red and/or itchy skin, blisters or pimples

Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty in breathing
or swallowing

Shortness of breath and wheezing

Blood in the urine or any other urination disturbances

Fever, chills, headache or dizziness

Bone pain.

Some people may get other side effects while taking Rimycin.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand anything in this list.